Colonoscopy or MRI of the intestine - which is better

Problems with the intestines and stomach are one of the most common diseases in humans. Modern medicine has a large arsenal of diagnostic tests that help doctors establish the correct diagnosis. These methods include colonoscopy and MRI.

People often wonder what is better - colonoscopy or MRI of the intestine. It should be noted that these are completely different diagnostic methods, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.

Methods of investigation

All methods of intestinal examination can be divided into several groups:

• Laboratory survey .For example, the definition of oncomarkers for suspected malignant neoplasms.
• Endoscopic examinations of the .Include visualization of the internal structure of the digestive tract. To such methods belongs a colonoscopy.
• Radiographic examination .To obtain information about the state of the intestine, X-rays are used. The usual representative of these methods is irrigography. Traditionally, MRI is referred to this group of examinations, although X-rays do not apply to it.

Obviously, it's wrong to compare two diagnostic methods that have completely different principles of action and purpose. However, many patients before the examination are concerned that it is better - an MRI or colonoscopy of the intestine. Let us examine these two studies in more detail.

MRI

MRI( magnetic resonance imaging) is a type of body scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to obtain detailed images. The examination is performed using an MRI scanner.

MRI of the abdomen is performed for:

• determination of blood supply to abdominal organs;
• determining the cause of abdominal pain;
• examination of the lymph nodes of the abdomen;
• diagnosis of various diseases of the liver, kidney, pancreas or spleen.

MRI can distinguish tumors from normal tissues, which helps doctors determine their size and distribution.

The advantage of MRI of the abdomen is painlessness and comfort for the patient, no need for anesthesia, the possibility of examining the small intestine and diagnosing diseases of other abdominal organs.

For the examination of the small or large intestine, special MRI techniques should be used, in which is used to contrast .Without this, a conventional MRI does not have a high diagnostic value.

It is desirable to carry out the examination on powerful and modern MRI-devices that scan the body very quickly. If the procedure lasts too long, its diagnostic value is low, since the quality of imaging is strongly influenced by the intestinal peristalsis.

The disadvantage of MRI, in comparison with colonoscopy, is a high price, significantly lower informativity in the diagnosis of colon diseases, inability to perform medical procedures and biopsy during the examination.

Absolute contraindications for MRI are the presence in the patient's body of :

• implants activated electrically, magnetically or mechanically;
• ferromagnetic or electronic devices such as automatic defibrillator-cardioverter;
• of artificial pacemakers( pacemakers);
• metal fragments;
• ferromagnetic clips inside the central nervous system.

Patients with absolute contraindications can not be treated. In this case, the question of choosing a colonoscopy or MRI is not even raised. However, modern medical equipment can have protection from magnetic fields, as exemplified by the latest pacemakers.

Relative contraindications for MRI include the presence of the patient in the middle ear:

• implants;
• insulin pumps and nerve stimulants;
• various wires;
• Prosthetic heart valves;
• hemostatic clips.

In any of these cases, a doctor should decide whether to perform the MRI.Help him in this can instructions of the implanted device, in which the manufacturer indicates the possibility or impossibility of MRI.

The MRI scanner is a large tube that contains powerful magnets. The person during the examination is inside this tube. MRI can be used to examine any part of the human body, including the intestine.

Most of the human body consists of water molecules that contain atoms of oxygen and hydrogen. At the center of each hydrogen atom there is an even smaller particle, the proton. Protons are very similar to tiny magnets, so they are very sensitive to magnetic fields.

When a person is placed under the powerful magnets of an MRI scanner, the protons in his body line up in the same direction. This can be compared with the arrow of the compass, which deviates towards the magnet.

Then short bursts of radio waves are sent to the necessary areas of the body, which disrupt the alignment of the protons. When the action of radio waves ceases, the protons are reconverted, which leads to the formation of radio signals that are picked up by the sensors of the MRI scanner. These signals allow you to create a detailed image of physicians interested in the areas of the body.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the gold standard for examination of the large intestine. But it, like any other diagnostic method, has its drawbacks and advantages. The indication for her is only one - screening and diagnosis of diseases of the large intestine.

Advantages of colonoscopy compared with MRI include more affordable cost, better diagnostic value in identifying colon diseases, the possibility of performing medical procedures and biopsy during it.

Disadvantages of a colonoscopy:

• discomfort or pain during the procedure;
• limited examination only in the large intestine;
• inability to detect diseases of other abdominal organs, including blood vessels, lymph nodes, liver, kidneys, pancreas.

Pain syndrome is the main reason why many patients think about whether it is possible to make a MRI of the intestine instead of a colonoscopy.

Absolute contraindications to colonoscopy:

• patient's refusal to conduct a survey;
• lack of cooperation from the patient and the inability to conduct adequate sedation;
• toxic megacolon and fulminant colitis;
• confirmed perforation of the large intestine communicating with the abdominal cavity.

Relative contraindications:

• Acute diverticulitis;
• unstable hemodynamics;
• recently suffered myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism;
• early postoperative period;
• aneurysm of the abdominal aorta;
• pregnancy.

Before the colonoscopy, the patient needs a thorough preparation - bowel movement. This is achieved through diet, intake of laxatives and enemas. The day before the colonoscopy, you can use only clear fluids, completely eliminating any solid food from the diet.

Because colonoscopy, in contrast to MRI, in many patients causes severe discomfort or pain, often anesthesia or drug-induced sleep is required to perform it. After the person falls asleep, the doctor enters the colonoscope into the large intestine and slowly moves it towards the small intestine.

Colonoscope at its tip has a light source and a video camera, which allows doctors to see the internal structure of the large intestine on the monitor.

Thanks to a colonoscopy, almost all bowel diseases can be diagnosed. In addition, the colonoscope has an additional channel for special instruments that are used for medical procedures( for example, removal of polyps) or for biopsy.

After the procedure, you will have to spend some time in a medical institution. Within a few days it will be necessary to follow the doctor's recommendations regarding nutrition and lifestyle.

Which procedure is best?

Often, patients are afraid of having a colonoscopy because of their soreness, asking the question: what is better - colonoscopy or MRI of the intestine?

This question can be answered as follows:

1. Colonoscopy is definitely better than MRI if it is a case of colon disease.
2. If we talk about the diagnosis of diseases of other abdominal organs, then in this case it is better to carry out MRI.

But you should not oppose these two survey methods to each other, as there are situations when one person needs both a colonoscopy and an MRI.An example can be a large intestine tumor - a colonoscopy allows you to more accurately diagnose cancer and conduct a biopsy, and MRI - to detect the germination of the tumor into neighboring organs and lymph nodes.

Both colonoscopy and intestinal MRI are important in diagnosing diseases of the abdominal organs. Each of these methods has indications for carrying out, advantages and disadvantages. A weighted and justified decision to take the patient is helped by doctors who are able to judge professionally the pros and cons of these diagnostic methods in each specific case.

Author: Taras Nevelichuk, doctor,
specially for Moizhivot.ru

Useful video about the MRI of the intestine